The drone operations in Vietnam
were deployed to Bien Hoa in 1964 and originally assigned to the
4028thStrategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW).
Initial Drone Recovery was by the Army Sikorsky H-37’s but the
search had already started for a more advanced heavy lift helicopter.

In Feb 1966 the 4080thSRW became the 100thSRW and the 4025thwas renumbered the 350thSRS.

At the start, the OL-20
operations were based at two locations in Vietnam with the two
DC-130A's being at Bien Hoa and the two CH-3E helicopters at DaNang.

Both of these operating locations
being designated OL-20. The drones were launched and controlled by
the C-130s and after the end of their flight were recovered by the
CH-3s.

The operations resulted in some
very important Reconnaissance/ELINT gathering operations during the
Vietnam War with first photos of SA-2 Missiles, Mig 21-Ds and
intercepts of SA-2 arming and proximity fusing signals.

The Drones also accurately
launched Maverick and other smart bombs long before the present day
Predator/Reaper came on scene. Also dropped leaflets, these were
nicknamed the “Bullshit Bombers’.

The reconnaissance for the
attempt to rescue American POW’s at Son Tay was conducted by
the 350thSRS drones.

All DC-130s and CH-3 crews were
assigned to the 350thSRS.

AQM -34 drone (Buffalo Two)

Mid-Air
Retrieval System

The MARS helicopter recovery crew
consisted of a pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer and winch operator.
The ramp remained but the door behind the ramp that opened upward was
removed. The winch was under the main rotor head and the cable
extended down through a hole in the bottom of the fuselage. The cable
then extended back under the fuselage to a harness and extended
poles.

The CH-3E’s that are
modified to perform this mission are called MARS birds. MARS = Mid
Air Retrieval System. The name used in Vietnam for this operation was
"Buffalo
Hunters".

The drone’s main parachute
controlled the AQM’s descent. Above it was a smaller engagement
chute that the helicopter would snag to recover the drone. Engagement
was done at 50 knots airspeed and rate of descent up to 1000 fpm. The
drone was then reeled in to within about 20 feet of the helicopter
and flown back to base.

The drone weighed around 2500
pounds so depositing it on to the ground put a full load on the CH-3.

Not all drones made it back home,
some were shot down and others nearly made it home.

There were 4 helicopters in all
that participated in the Drone Recovery mission. They were 65-12790,
65-12796, 65-12788 and 65-12794. (790 was nicknamed “the flying
oil slick”). I don’t have available a list of the
crewmembers involved but here are pictures of a couple.

Danang
Crew

Crew
at NKP

The CH-3E helicopter recovery
helicopters relocated to NKP from 1970-75.

The 350 SRS/100SRW was moved to
Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ and operational there from 5 August 1968 –
31 Dec 1968.